India’s wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik had become an overnight star and media darling after his heroic performance in the final of Nidahas Trophy 2018.
Karthik had scored 29 runs in just right balls but it was his last ball six that made him an overnight sensation.
After Nidahas Trophy title in the bag, Karthik’s next big assignment is to lead Shah Rukh Khan-owned franchise Kolkata Knight Riders in the eleventh edition of Indian Premier League. But one will be shocked to know that Karthik’s dream is to play in KKR’s arch-rival team Chennai Super Kings led by former Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
“Heart of hearts, I thought I’ll be playing for CSK from the very first year. It’s been 10 years and it has never happened. The dream is getting smaller by the day. I don’t know if I’ll ever play for CSK. I have been born and brought up in the city and would have loved to play for the Chennai team,” Dinesh Karthik was quoted as saying in an interview.
Though his dream is to play for CSK, Karthik wants to focus on leading KKR for now.
“I have got the opportunity to lead an IPL team which is a big honour and I’d like to do justice to that. I think Chennai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Mumbai have very loyal fans. That’s the beauty of franchise cricket. Chennai has always been an educated cricketing crowd and the way CSK has performed over the years has helped develop this massive fan base,” the wicket-keeper batsman told the Hindu.
Till now, Karthik has played for five different IPL franchises, including Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians, Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions. And KKR is his sixth franchise.
Dinesh Karthik-led KKR will play their first match against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 8.